Andringitra & Tsaranoro trek: Pic Boby & granite cliffs

The second-highest peak in Madagascar sits above a lunar plateau of balanced stones.

A four-day trek through Andringitra National Park and Tsaranoro Valley in Madagascar combines climbing to Pic Boby (2,658 meters) with access to some of the world's most dramatic granite cliffs. The route crosses waterfalls named for Malagasy royalty, traverses a high meadow dotted with natural pools, and descends into the Tsaranoro massif. A local guide leads the trek. Camping, meals and park entry are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Andringitra and first bivouac

• Depart Fianarantsoa to Andringitra
• Visit Antemoro paper factory in Ambalavao
• Observe lemurs at Anja reserve
• Travel through Namoly valley to Belambo bivouac

Day 2: Explore Andringitra National Park waterfalls

• Morning forest loop to Zomandao waterfalls
• Visit cave of former zebu guardians
• View Andrianbavy and Andriandahy waterfalls
• Climb to plateau with granite cliff views
• Relax at Andranolava pools
• Reach Andriampotsy bivouac at cliff base

Day 3: Climb Pic Boby and plateau crossing

• Climb 3000 steps to Pic Boby summit
• Enjoy panoramic views from summit
• Descend and cross plateau des Extraterrestres
• Admire granite formations and vegetation
• Descend to Iataranomby bivouac by river

Day 4: Descend to Tsaranoro Valley and village

• Leave camp and walk through meadows
• Descend to Mananishoa village
• Cross Sahanambo river to Morarano market
• Return to camp via carriage track
• Visit dispensary and Tsaranoro School
• Overnight at hotel

Day 5: Tsaranoro Valley activities and return

• Choose Mont Caméléon or Tsaranoro circuit hike
• Optional paragliding over valley
• Return to Fianarantsoa late afternoon
• End of services

The experience

The trek begins with a four-hour walk from Fianarantsoa into the Andringitra massif, passing through the Antemoro paper factory in Ambalavao and the Anja reserve to spot lemurs before the track steepens toward Belambo, your first camp in the Namoly valley. The granite ridges rise ahead, and two large waterfalls mark the approach.

Day two takes six hours through tropical rainforest to the Andrianbavy waterfall (the Queen's Waterfall, 250 meters high) and the Andriandahy waterfall (the King's Waterfall, 300 meters), both named for the royal couple who sought their waters. The path climbs to a high meadow where Phylipias and endemic orchids grow, then crosses the magnificent pools of Andranolava before reaching Andriampotsy camp at the foot of the Andringitra cliffs. Day three is the summit push: eight hours with 3,000 fitted steps crossing the cliffs to Pic Boby. The final steep slabs lead to 2,658 meters, where on clear days you see the Isalo massif to the south, Tsaranoro and Bishop's Bonnet to the west, and sometimes the coast to the east. The descent crosses the Plateau des Extraterrestres (or Plateau des Lumières), a lunar granite expanse with balanced stone stacks and natural pools, before dropping into fern forest to Iataranomby camp.

The fourth day is a four-hour walk out through meadows and the Sahanambo valley to Morarano village and the Tsaranoro Valley camp. Day five offers a choice: a four-hour circuit to Mont Caméléon's summit with a steep final passage; a four-to-four-and-a-half-hour walk behind Tsaranoro itself (the peak requires climbing) past Bara tombs carved into the hillside; or a paragliding baptism over the valley (notify the operator 48 hours ahead). A picnic is provided. Return to Fianarantsoa happens in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Fianarantsoa to Andringitra and out of Tsaranoro Valley.
• local park guide speaking English, Italian or French.
• all camping equipment including tents and mattresses.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
• entry to Andringitra National Park.
• hotel accommodation in Tsaranoro Valley on night five.
• carriers to help with gear.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Sudmadatrek Voyages

Is this one for you?The trek spans four full days of walking (four to eight hours daily) plus a flexible fifth day in the valley, so it demands a week away from other plans but leaves day five open to rest, explore on foot, or try paragliding if you book ahead. Climbers with high fitness and no spinal or cardiovascular concerns will find the steep sections manageable. Children from age six are welcome, though the 858-meter elevation gain on day three and the difficult passages on days three and five require real mountain legs.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Pic Boby and why is it the goal of this trek?

Pic Boby is the second-highest peak in Madagascar at 2,658 meters, also called Imarivolanitra, meaning close to the sky in Malagasy. The trek climbs it via 3,000 fitted steps across the Andringitra cliffs, and on clear days the summit offers a panoramic view of the entire region: the park and Isalo massif to the south, Tsaranoro and Bishop's Bonnet to the west, the Circus of Ambalavao to the north, and sometimes the coast to the east.

What are the Tsaranoro cliffs and how do you see them on this trek?

Tsaranoro is a granite massif with vertical cliffs 800 meters high, visible from the high plateaus of Andringitra on day three, then reached on foot on day four when you descend into Tsaranoro Valley. Day five offers optional circuits to Mont Caméléon or behind Mount Tsaranoro itself, both with steep final passages and views over the valley and southern Malagasy mountains.

How many days of actual trekking are there, and what happens on the last day?

Four days involve trekking: day one is four hours, day two is six hours, day three is eight hours, and day four is four hours. Day five in Tsaranoro Valley is optional activity: you can walk to Mont Caméléon (four hours), circuit behind Tsaranoro (four to four-and-a-half hours), try a paragliding baptism, or rest, before returning to Fianarantsoa in the late afternoon.

What waterfalls do you pass, and why do they have royal names?

The Andrianbavy waterfall (the Queen's Waterfall, 250 meters) and the Andriandahy waterfall (the King's Waterfall, 300 meters) are named for the Queen and King of Ambalavao, who came seeking pure water that, on a healer's advice, allowed them to have eight children. You reach both on day two's six-hour walk through the rainforest.

What is the Plateau des Extraterrestres, and what makes it unusual?

The Plateau des Extraterrestres (also called Plateau des Lumières) is a lunar-like granite expanse dotted with small natural pools and balanced stone stacks, crossed on the descent from Pic Boby on day three. It marks the transition from the eastern slope's ferns and wild palms to the western slope's vegetation of palm trees and Calencoees.